When I was a little girl, I used to love playing “pirates of the sea", or "castaways." I would look for buried treasure or make my own out of whatever I found on “the island."  I tied string around shells or sloppily glued rocks to something wearable. One time, I glued a butterfly to a Burger King crown. Don’t worry, it was already dead.  I wore it proudly. Like a badge of courage, I earned it! Not just for surviving the drudgery of day to day life, but for being brave enough to explore beyond my home. A souvenir of sorts, it was something unexpected, unusual, and unique. It added to my personal story. It was like a message that didn’t need words.

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  As I got older, I ventured to garage sales, thrift shops, and my grandmother’s scary basement. Although it smelled musty and had spiders, it had the most wonderful potpourri of unusual items tucked away in dilapidated original boxes.  I uncovered antique jewelry, lockets, polished stones, and items to this day that I still cherish. As my world got bigger, my collection became larger. I still get a little thrilled when finding something truly beautiful and out of the ordinary. When I find it at a steal, I get absolutely giddy! I search the world for culture, history, and life, expressed through natural objects, carved, shaped, and manipulated with human hands. Individuals with the same passion for the unexpected and truly unique, that I can share my treasures with, quickly become friends. 

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  Finding a four leaf clover in a field of millions of ordinary ones, is not just a hobby for me, but a balm to my soul at times. Fortunately for me, I am frequently skilled, or maybe just lucky enough to find many. Come friends, and share my four leaf clovers.

 

                                                                Gerri

 

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